Back carrier with adjustable support

ABSTRACT

A back carrier adapted for carrying a child including a tubular frame, a hammock suspended from the frame in which the child is supported, a shoulder harness by which the frame can be carried on the back of the wearer with the load partially supported on the shoulders and a flexible web adjsutably mounted on the frame so as to adjustably contact the lower back of the wearer to support a portion of the weight of the carrier and of the load being carried thereby. One or more strengthening members are provided to maintain the side and bottom portions of the frame in spacial relationship. The shoulder harness is attached to the frame by means of stud members on the frame. The flexible back engaging web is slidably mounted on the frame and is limited in movement in at least one direction by abutment with one of the pairs of stud members to which the harness is attached.

United States Patent [191 Fiffer Mar. 26, 1974 BACK CARRIER WITH ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT [75] Inventor: William L. Filler, Evanston, Ill.

[73] Assigneei Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago,

Ill.

22 Filed: Nov. 30, 1971 21 App]. No.: 203,409

[52] US. Cl. 224/6, 224/25 A Primary ExaminerRobert G. Sheridan Assistant ExaminerKenneth Noland Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Arnstein, Gluck, Weitzenfeld & Minow ABSTRACT A back carrier adapted for carrying a child including a tubular frame, a hammock suspended from the frame in which the child is supported, a shoulder harness by which the frame can be carried on the back of the wearer with the load partially supported on the shoulders and a flexible web adjsutabiy mounted on the frame so as to adjustably contact the lower back of the wearer to support a portion of the weight of the carrier and of the load being carried thereby. One or more strengthening members are provided to maintain the side and bottom portions of the frame in spacial relationship. The shoulder harness is attached to the frame by means of stud members on the frame. The flexible back engaging web is slidably mounted on the frame and is limited in movement in at least one direction by abutment with one of the pairs of stud members to which the harness is attached.

3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a back carrier for carrying a child and having an adjustably positioned supporting web for contacting the lower back of the wearer.

Back carriers for carrying children now in wide use generally have a shoulder harness which is adjustable to the height of the wearer so as to distribute the weight of the carrier and the load over the wearers shoulders and back. In such carriers, a web member which rests against the lower back of the wearer is fixed to the frame and is adjustable to the wearer only upon loosening or tightening the shoulder harness straps to raise or lower the frame of thecarrier in relation to the back of the wearer. However, quite often the adjustment of the harness for comfortable carrying. of the top of the frame in relation to the shoulders is not necessarily compatible with the adjustment of the harness required to position the back engaging web member to engage a desired portion of the lower back of the wearer.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention, therefore, is the provision of a back carrier adapted for supporting a child, and having a back contacting web member which is adjustable vertically.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a back carrier having a frame and a child carrying hammock mounted on the frame and having an adjustable back engaging flexible web so as to permit the wearer to adjust the web for comfortable positioning of the web to the lower back of the wearer.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a back carrier for carrying a child, and having a back contacting web adjustably mounted so as to be adjustable to the lower back of the wearer independently of the shoulder harness of the carrier.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description when the same is considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a back carrier adapted for carrying a child and comprising a frame having a U-shaped top portion, a pair of substantially parallel side members extending downwardly from the legs of said U-shaped top portion and each side member terminating in a reversely bent U-shaped portion. A hammock adapted to support a child depends from the top portion of said frame. A shoulder harness is affixed to the frame so as to enable the carrier to be carried upon the back and shoulders of the wearer; and a flexible web extends between the reversely bent portions of the frame and is adapted to be adjustably positioned so as to engage the lower back of the wearer to support a portion of the weight of the carrier and load thereupon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the carrier of the present invention being carried upon the back and shoulders of a wearer or user with a child being carried in the carrier, the wearer and child being shown in broken lines.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carrier shown in FIG. 1 showing the side of the carrier normally facing the back of the wearer, with the shoulder strap portions of the harness raised for the purpose of illustration.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the carrier illustrating the adjustment of the back support web in one embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the particular. construction shown in the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates, generally, a back carrier with an adjustable support adapted for carrying a child in accordance with the present invention. The frame 11 of the carrier is tubular and includes a U-shaped top portion 11a (FIG. 2), a pair of parrallel side portions 11b extending downwardly from the legs of top portion 11a and U-shaped terminal portions 11c, extending from side portions 1 lb, being reversely bent so that one leg thereof extends toward top portion 11a. Although the portions of the frame may comprise several parts fastened together, preferably frame 11 comprises a single tubular member of aluminum of other metal which can be bent to form the various portions described above. Frame 11 is desirably light weight, but is resiliently rigid so as to support a load suspended from top portion 11a as will be hereinafter described.

Terminal portions 11c of frame 11 are maintained in substantially fixed spacial relation by a brace member 12 extending between and affixed to the terminal portions 11c. preferably, brace member 12 is affixed to the terminal portions near the open end 13 of the respective terminal portion. Brace member 12 preferably is constructed from a tubular member of light weight material, such as an aluminum tube which resiliently holds the end portions of frame 1 1 in substantially fixed spacial relation. To assist member 12 in resiliently maintaining the end portions of frame 11 in substantially fixed spacial relation, member 12 is preferably slightly bowed as illustrated in the drawings.

Although frame 11 may be satisfactorily maintained in spacial relation due to the action of brace member 12, particularly in conjunction with the U-shaped top portion 11a of frame 11, it is preferred to include a second brace member 14 extending between and affixed to side portions 11b of frame 11. Member 14 may be constructed of the same material as member 12.

Suspended from the top portion 11a of frame 11 is a hammock 15 which is adapted to support a child. I-lammock 15 is preferably draped over the legs of top portion 11a of frame 11 with the draped portion being sewn to the hammock body, for example, as shown in the drawing by stitches 16. It is also preferred to drape hammock 15 partially over the center portion of U- shaped portion 11a of frame 1 l as shown in FIG. 2 and to affix the draped portion thereof to the hammock body by stitches 17. In this manner the hammock is suspended from the top portion of frame 11 so as to prevent swinging movement of the hammock on the frame upon movement, particularly sudden movement, of the carrier 10.

Hammock 15 preferably comprises a plurality of vertical panels 18 of relatively strong flexible material such as canvas cotton duck fabric, nylon duck fabric, and the like; and a seat panel 19 affixed to and supported by the vertical panels 18. Seat panel 19 may be formed integral with one or more of the vertical panels 18. A pair ofleg openings 21 in the hammock is provided in the panels 18, the marginal edges of the openings being bound as with binding tape so as to comfortably support a child placed in the hammock in a sitting position with his legs extending through the leg openings 21 outwardly of hammock 15. In another embodiment of the present invention, a second pair of leg openings 23 is provided in the panels 18, the marginal edges of the openings being bound as with binding tape 22. In this embodiment, by positioning the leg openings in the vertical panels 18 toward and away from the side portions 11b of frame 11, that is generally at the lower corners of hammock 15, a carrier is provided wherein the child can be carried either facing toward or away from the back of the wearer upon whose shoulders and back the carrier is worn. In the described preferred embodiment, the leg openings formed by the reinforced bands, are conveniently provided at the seams connecting the vertical panels 18 to each other adjacent the bottom or seat panel 19. Seat panel 10 is desirably rigidly reinforced and padded (not shown) to provide a comfortable seat for the child at the inside bottom of hammock 15. Hammock 15 preferably also includes padding adjacent the top portion 11a of frame 11 inwardly thereof, to prevent injury to the child which might otherwise be caused by the child striking the top portion 11a of frame 11. Hammock 15 may also contain pockets (not shown) constructed on the vertical panels 18 or on the under side of seat panel 19 thereof for storage of various articles.

Afflxed to frame 11 is a harness, generally indicated as 24, by which the frame of the carrier is supported upon the shoulders of the wearer. Harness 24 generally consists of two straps 25 and 26 which are affixed at one end to frame 11, for example, to stud members 27 and 28 on frame 11 by means of suitable fasteners, such as rings 29 and 30. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, harness 24 comprises straps 25 and 26 which are extended by padded portions 31 and 32 and additional straps 33 and 34. It is understood that padded portions 31 and 32 and additional strips 33 and 34 are not required, and can be replaced by simply having strips 25 and 26 extended to the equivalent length of the straps and padded portions. However, the embodiment shown in the drawings is preferred to provide added comfort to the wearer of the carrier by means of the padded portions of the harness. In addition, straps 25 and 26 are provided with adjustment buckles 35 and 36 by which the effective lengths of the straps of the harness can be lengthened or shortened. Straps 33 and 34 are secured to frame 1 l by suitable means such as, studs 37 and 38 and rings 39 and 40 respectively.

Harness 24 is mounted on the top portion 11a of frame 11 by having each of the straps 25 and 26 looped about the center of the U-shaped top portion 11a. Moreover, the straps 25 and 26 are crossed at the point at which they are looped about the frame 11 so as to maintain the straps in the center of top portion 11a of frame 11 to prevent slipping of the straps along the frame 11. Additionally, the crossed straps may be affixed to each other by means (not shown) such as a rivet, a strap or a tie.

As shown in the drawings, it is preferred to mount the studs 28 and 29 near the open ends 13 of the terminal portions 110 described above. Studs 37 and 38, to which the straps 33 and 34 respectively, are mounted on frame 11, preferably are mounted on the side portions 11b adjacent the terminal portions. In this manner, harness 24 is affixed to and supports the terminal portions of frame 11 and, by being looped about the top portion 11a of frame 11, supports the top portion 11a of frame 11 as well.

The carrier of the present invention is provided with a flexible back support comprising a web 41 extending between terminal portions of frame 1 1. As particularly shown in FIG. 3, flexible web 41 is slidably mounted on frame 11 by being looped about the terminal portions 110 of frame 11 and is provided with tensioning means which may be in the form of tie 42. Tie 42 can be a length of rope as shown, or strap and buckle arrangement (not shown) or other equivalent tensioning apparatus. Conveniently, the tensioning means such as tie 42 can be affixed to the end portions of back support web 41 by several types of means including looping the tensioning means through grommets 43, 44 in the end portions of the web. As shown, the web 41 is slidably mounted on frame 11 to enable the wearer to adjust the position of the web on the frame so as to engage the lower back of the wearer in the most comfortable position. Adjustment of web 41 on frame 11 is accomplished independently of the adjustment of the harness of the carrier. Studs 27 and 28 mounted as described above limit the movement of the back support web 41 along frame 11 by abutment with the studs so as to prevent web 41 from moving past the ends 13 of frame 11 and slipping off of the frame. The reversely bent terminal portions 110 limit the movement of web 41 in the opposite direction along frame 11 by abutment of the web with the bent portions to prevent web 41 from sliding along frame 1 1 toward top portion 11a thereof. It is understood that additional studs or other stop means can be provided on frame 11 to similarly limit the movement of web 41 along frame 1 1.

Various changes coming within the spirit of my invention may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art; hence I do not wish to be limited to the specific embodiment shown and described or uses mentioned, but intend the same to be merely exemplary, the scope of my invention being limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A back carrier adapted for carrying a child comprising a. a frame of a single tubular member having a substantially U-shaped top portion having a pair of depending members the terminal portions of which are reversely bent in U-shaped formation, and including a brace member extending between and affixed to said terminal portions to resiliently maintain said terminal portions in substantially fixed spatial relation;

b. a hammock suspended from said top portion for supporting a child;

c. a shoulder harness affixed to said frame so as to enable the carrier to be carried upon the back and shoulders of the wearer; and

d. a flexible web member extending between and slidably mounted on said terminal portions and adjustably secured thereto so as to be slidable along said pair of terminal portions of said frame and adjustably positionable to engage the lower back of the wearer.

2. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said carrier includes means for securing a pair of terminal portions of said harness to said frame and for limiting movement of said flexible web member along said frame in one direction, said means being mounted on said frame adjacent the end of the terminal portions thereof, said flexible web member being limited in movement along said frame in said one direction by abutment with said means.

3. A back carrier adapted for carrying a child comprising a. a frame of a single tubular member having a substantially U-shaped top portion having a pair of depending members the terminal portions of which are reversely bent in U-shaped formation;

b. a brace member extending between and affixed to said terminal portions to resiliently maintain said terminal portions in substantially fixed spacial relation;

c. a hammock suspended from said top portion for supporting a child, said hammock including at least one panel forming a pair of leg openings;

(1. a shoulder harness supportingly affixed to said frame at the terminal portions thereof and mounted on the said top portion thereof so as to enable the carrier to be carried upon the back and shoulders of the wearer;

. a flexible member extending between said terminal portions and slidably mounted on said frame so as to be slidable along said pair of terminal portions and adjustably positionable to engage the lower back of the wearer, said flexible web member including tensioning means for selectively adjusting the tension on said web extending between said terminal portions; and

. means for securing a pair of terminal portions of means. 

1. A back carrier adapted for carrying a child comprising a. a frame of a single tubular member having a substantially Ushaped top portion having a pair of depending members the terminal portions of which are reversely bent in U-shaped formation, and including a brace member extending between and affixed to said terminal portions to resiliently maintain said terminal portions in substantially fixed spatial relation; b. a hammock suspended from said top portion for supporting a child; c. a shoulder harness affixed to said frame so as to enable the carrier to be carried upon the back and shoulders of the wearer; and d. a flexible web member extending between and slidably mounted on said terminal portions and adjustably secured thereto so as to be slidable along said pair of terminal portions of said frame and adjustably positionable to engage the lower back of the wearer.
 2. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said carrier includes means for securing a pair of terminal portions of said harness to said frame and for limiting movement of said flexible web member along said frame in one direction, said means being mounted on said frame adjacent the end of the terminal portions thereof, said flexible web member being limited in movement along said frame in said one direction by abutment with said means.
 3. A back carrier adapted for carrying a child comprising a. a frame of a single tubular member having a substantially U-shaped top portion having a pair of depending members the terminal portions of which are reversely bent in U-shaped formation; b. a brace member extending between and affixed to said terminal portions to resiliently maintain said terminal portions in substantially fixed spacial relation; c. a hammock suspended from said top portion for supporting a child, said hammock including at least one panel forming a pair of leg openings; d. a shoulder harness supportingly affixed to said frame at the terminal portions thereof and mounted on the said top portion thereof so as to enable the carrier to be carried upon the back and shoulders of the wearer; e. a flexible member extending between said terminal portions and slidably mounted on saiD frame so as to be slidable along said pair of terminal portions and adjustably positionable to engage the lower back of the wearer, said flexible web member including tensioning means for selectively adjusting the tension on said web extending between said terminal portions; and f. means for securing a pair of terminal portions of said harness to said frame and for limiting movement of said flexible web in one direction, said means being mounted on said frame adjacent the end of the terminal portions thereof, said flexible web member being limited in movement along said frame in said one direction by abutment with said means. 